Vice-Chancellor's message

A world-class education and a great university experience changes lives.

Last week, the Playford Trust awarded its annual scholarships to 45 South Australian students, 27 of whom were University of Adelaide students. These prestigious awards support high-achieving students working in areas of strategic importance to South Australia, including agriculture, environmental sciences, advanced manufacturing and new technologies, health sciences, and sustainability.

This fantastic result, plus the scholarships awarded to UniSA students, stands us in good stead for Adelaide University's commencement and supporting a culture of excellence in education.

Playford Trust scholars go on to make a real difference in an ever-evolving world. For example, then University of Adelaide student Alison Gill, who received a Playford PhD Scholarship in 2020, undertook research that advanced fundamental understandings of hemp physiology, was subsequently awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, and has joined the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space at the University of Adelaide as a postdoctoral research fellow. Her future goals are to re-engineer plants with enhanced photosynthesis and higher yields for sustainable agriculture in controlled environments, improving food security in Space and on Earth.

We have some truly brilliant minds and outstanding individuals amongst our students and staff, and seeing their work and their passion for life makes me confident that the future is in excellent hands.

That sentiment is shared in the broader community. Last week we held an event to acknowledge our donors, emphasize the power of philanthropy, and shine a light on the strength of our community. The support of donors is contributing to a stronger society now, and into the future as we transition to the new Adelaide University.

Their generosity is also supporting our infrastructure, ensuring our students can access essential physical and digital course resources, and providing academics with the up-to-date and relevant information they need.

There is no doubt that education, and opportunities to access a great education, contributes to individual growth, and underpins a cohesive society.

Professor Peter Høj AC
Vice-Chancellor and President